Built in 1954, this earth dam stands at a height of 31 feet, with a hydraulic height of 36 feet and a structural height of 40 feet. With a storage capacity of 335 acre-feet, Knox reservoir covers a surface area of 16 acres and drains an area of 2 square miles.
Despite its low hazard potential, a 2015 inspection found the condition of the Knox dam to be unsatisfactory. The dam's outlet gates consist of a slide (sluice gate) and an uncontrolled mechanism, while no spillway is present. With a maximum discharge capacity of 882 cubic feet per second, the dam poses a high risk level (2) according to a risk assessment.
State-regulated and maintained by the Colorado Department of Water Resources (DWR), the Knox dam is subject to regular inspections, with the last one conducted in October 2015. As an essential component of the local irrigation system, the dam plays a crucial role in water resource management in the region. Climate and water resource enthusiasts will find Knox to be a noteworthy structure worth monitoring for its potential impacts on the surrounding environment.
Year Completed |
1954 |
Dam Length |
512 |
Dam Height |
31 |
River Or Stream |
SURFACE CREEK-TR |
Primary Dam Type |
Earth |
Surface Area |
16 |
Hydraulic Height |
36 |
Drainage Area |
2 |
Nid Storage |
335 |
Structural Height |
40 |
Outlet Gates |
Slide (sluice gate), Uncontrolled |
Hazard Potential |
Low |
Foundations |
Rock, Soil |
Nid Height |
40 |